Chapter 723: 723 Heartwarming
It wasn’t until Yuanyuan boarded the fishing boat that Wang Er felt relieved.
"Xiao Su, should we head back?"
"Yes, let’s go back. Thank you all for your hard work."
Wang Er shook his head, "It’s no trouble at all." This time was better than the last, right? At least she knew to express her gratitude after boarding.
Shao Hongming also boarded the fishing boat as the fishery patrol’s boat had already left.
They reached the shore, and the sky hadn’t lightened yet, but Zeng Hongling was waiting by the shore.
Yuanyuan felt warm inside, though she didn’t hope for such a situation. It’s not that she was ungrateful, just that sometimes excessive concern can be a burden.
Zeng Hongling’s style was nice. She cared but without causing inconvenience to others.
"I’m back. Don’t worry."
"It’s good you’re back. Just a moment ago, I thought I saw the color of the moon change."
Yuanyuan stiffly tugged at her lips but said nothing.
Shao Hongming followed behind the two. It’s not that he was thick-skinned or had any intentions. Mainly, he would be leaving after sunrise.
If Yuanyuan gave him a bit of hope, he would resign without hesitation to stay by her side.
Even resigning now, it’s likely Yuanyuan wouldn’t want him to follow. His concern was seen through by him. It’s a mental resistance to his advance.
Shao Hongming felt bitter, yet didn’t want to leave, wanting to stay with her just a bit longer.
The three returned home.
"Yuanyuan, Mr. Shao, I’ll make you something to eat."
Zeng Hongling also noticed that Shao Hongming wanted to talk to Yuanyuan.
Shao Hongming, looking at the woman sitting across, felt more defeated inside.
"Yuanyuan, are you still not giving up this time?"
Yuanyuan shook her head, "I know we will eventually reunite."
Shao Hongming thought he was hearing things. Did the girl know what she was talking about?
Shao Hongming really didn’t know what to say.
"Yuanyuan, I want to resign and follow you, okay?" Shao Hongming still asked. He was truly unwilling to give up.
"There’s no need. Besides, I won’t accept you following me. It would be very bothersome for me."
"Why?" Shao Hongming stubbornly asked.
"Because I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I could never fall for anyone else in this lifetime."
It was the first time they faced each other and expressed such words. Yuanyuan clearly conveyed her thoughts.
"Do I really not have any chance? I don’t expect you to accept me immediately; I can wait."
"There’s no possibility. We’ll be friends in the future, nothing more."
Shao Hongming fell silent. Before, he could deceive himself, but now it was clearly stated.
"Shao Hongming, you are a straightforward person. Don’t let a moment of impulse make you regret in the future."
Shao Hongming didn’t say anything, though his heart was screaming. It wasn’t a momentary impulse; it was his genuine feeling.
But he didn’t say this. The rest of life is long; he might still have some chance. Now she’s so resistant, so let’s just be friends for now.
"Please take care."
"I will. And thank you."
"No need to be polite; we’re friends." Shao Hongming said this, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.
At this time, Zeng Hongling brought over two bowls of noodles. She knew Yuanyuan’s preferences, so they were very light.
They ate the noodles silently. Yuanyuan put down her bowl, "I’ll drive you then."
"Thank you."
There was suddenly an extreme politeness between the two.
Zeng Hongling looked at Yuanyuan, suggesting if she should join them, but Yuanyuan didn’t look her way, and was about to leave.
"Yuanyuan, you haven’t slept all night; let me drive. It’ll be safer for you."
Neither of them refused, so Zeng Hongling sat in the driver’s seat.
The car was especially silent on the way, none of the three spoke.
They reached the entrance of the sanatorium. Yuanyuan glanced at Shao Hongming, "Don’t push yourself too hard. Health is paramount."
Shao Hongming felt a sore feeling inside. It was comforting.
"Thank you, I’ll take care. No matter what, you can always call me."
"Alright, I’ve noted it. The same for you; if there’s anything I can help with, you can find me. Generally, Hu Zi and others know my whereabouts."
"Alright, I hope you’ll inform me wherever you go. We’re friends, and I’ll worry about you too."
Yuanyuan nodded, "Okay, I will. This time I’m going directly to gather ginseng, and then most likely I’ll visit the grassland. But I’ll be back here next year."
Shao Hongming nodded, "Alright, take care and don’t be too impulsive."
The two nodded, Shao Hongming got out of the car. They watched him enter the sanatorium before turning back.
This time, Zeng Hongling’s chatterbox opened up, trying to divert Yuanyuan’s attention.
"Wow, not talking on the way almost suffocated me."
"Was it really that bad?"
"How could it not be? Yuanyuan, should we head straight home?"
"Yes, let’s go straight back and wait for Daoist Zhan and the others."
"They should have been coming back since yesterday."
"They should be home tomorrow or the day after; let’s leave directly from there."
"Sure, Yuanyuan, if we’re coming back next year, why not ask someone in the village to build a house? What if there’s nowhere to stay next year?"
"That could work; let’s ask the village chief later. We’re not villagers, so we might not get a plot."
Yuanyuan had considered this but was worried it’d be troublesome. Now that Zeng Hongling mentioned it, she’d ask while giving the village chief some money. If they agree, great; if not, that’s also fine.
After returning home, Yuanyuan went to the village chief’s house and handed over the money.
"Elder chief, could I build a house in the village? I’ll come every year from now on."
The elder sucked in his teeth, "Xiao Su, you’re only here for a short while; there’s no need."
"Elder chief, if it’s too inconvenient, then forget it."
"It’s not that it’s troublesome. I just think it might be a waste, but if people are okay with it, I’ll arrange for you to have it built. I expect to leave within a week, and I’d be back by spring."
"Xiao Su, alright, I’ll ask. If it’s possible, we’ll get it arranged for you soon."
Yuanyuan knew even if it was just a mud-brick house, it would still be convenient for her stay.
She thanked the elder and returned home.
"Yuanyuan, do you want to sleep?"
"Yes, I’ll sleep."
"Alright then, I’ll go out and play, spare you the disturbance."
Yuanyuan shook her head, "It won’t be."
But Zeng Hongling still went out to play with the children, leaving Yuanyuan to enter her space to rest, which helped ease her fatigue.